It started nearly a century ago as a celebration of the end of World War I but it has evolved into a reflection of the sacrifice of those who served this country throughout time in all wars.

Today is Veterans Day. What we now know as Veterans Day actually began as Armistice Day, set aside

by Congress in 1938 to mark the end of

World

War I and honor those who fought in it. But with the bloodshed of World War II, Congress opted to create a national holiday honoring all veterans.

According to the U.S. Department of

Veterans Affairs' Web site, "in 1954, Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word 'Armistice' and inserting in lieu thereof the word 'veterans.'"

For Kenneth Kingrey, commander of the AmVets Post 141 and the VFW Post

2761 of Willow Wood, Veterans Day is etched in his memory from childhood.

"Growing up in school, the teachers very much insisted that you did honor Armistice Day and Veterans Day," he said.

Kingrey and his fellow members of the VFW will carry on that tradition of education with a Veteran's Day ceremony for students at Symmes Valley Multi-level School this morning.

Kingrey said VFW members usually present a discussion on the American Flag as well as discussion of the sacrifices veterans have made over the years to protect and defend freedom at home and abroad.

What does Veterans Day mean to veterans?

"It's really hard to explain," Ron McFann said. McFann, of Ironton, is Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 765. "It means a lot to us."

McFann said he thinks that many people do not understand the sacrifices made by servicemen and women, particularly those to whom war is a concept, not a reality.

"They haven't walked a mile in my shoes," McFann said. He said he wishes the American people would support those who are fighting now, both in Afghanistan and Iraq. "I'd love to see the United States of America back the military 100 percent. I know the biggest part of them enlisted, but they are fighting a war," he said.

A number of local organizations will have Veterans Day observances, including a service at 11 a.m. in Woodland Cemetery, organized by the VFW Post 8850 of Ironton, an observance at 11 a.m. at Rock Hill Elementary, led by the Military Order of the Purple Hearts Chapter 765, An Ironton AmVets presentation at Green High School at 1:45 p.m., and a 1 p.m. presentation at Kingsbury Elementary School by the Disabled American Veterans.